Email in response to Ben Stein's-Missed Tributes re :Oscars

"As I sat at the head table with our Group Commander and our distinguished guests and guest speaker, my wife and I enjoyed an elevated view of the grand ballroom where over 800 great Americans were seated. The tables were nicely appointed, complete with wine and floral arrangements. Quite a sight, especially given the men and the lovely ladies gathered before us. Among those present were many men who have literally been shot at, shot up and blown up, some more than once -- and some more than twice. Many were veterans of not only this war, but others as well dating back the last 30 years.

The funny thing about actors these days is that many of them seem to have forgotten what they actually do. They act, meaning of course they pretend to be something they are not. George Clooney is a prime example. He often plays a tough guy, and some folks actually seem to think he is. He would not last five minutes with the men I am honored to serve with every day. And I can tell you from experience that when someone is hurt or worse yet killed, they don't jump up when the director yells cut.......

There is an old saying you are likely familiar with. It roughly goes like this.

There are some basic types of people in this world. There are those who read history, those who write history, and those who make history. I spend my time with the latter. My slight variation on that old theme is simple and timely given your article. There are those who watch movies and those who make movies. Then there are those that movies are made about, or at least should be made about. My men are again, the latter -- and so are many thousands of everyday Joes and Janes that keep this nation moving forward. As for Clooney and his crowd of self righteous friends -- I respect and value, even protect their right to say what they will. And of course you understand that respecting a right is not to be mistaken for respecting a view put forward, in fact resulting from that same right.

I also have something else to say about the entire Hollywood bunch, namely that they are not deserving of the privilege of shining our boots".....

[Ben Stein]